Arturo O'Neill
| Arturo O'Neill | |
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| 1st Spanish Governor of West Florida | |
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In office May 9, 1781 – November 1792/1794 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Chester (British West Florida (1763-1784)) |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Howard |
| 93º Colonial Governor of Yucatán | |
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In office December 13, 1792 – October 19, 1800 |
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| Lieutenant | Benito Pérez Valdelomar |
| Preceded by | Jose Sabido de Vargas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 8, 1736 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | December 9, 1814 (aged 78) Madrid |
| Profession | Military and political career |
Arturo O'Neill de Tyrone y O'Kelly (January 8, 1736 – December 9, 1814) was an Irish-born Spanish colonel who served the Spanish crown as governor of several places in New Spain (1781 — 1800). He came from a lineage that occupied prominent European positions and titles, since at least the 12th century.
Arturo (Arthur) O'Neill was born in Dublin, Ireland (although his ancestors were from County Tyrone, now in Northern Ireland), in January 8, 1736. He was the third of five children of Henry O’Neill and Ana O’Kelly. One of his brothers was Lieutenant Colonel Niall O'Neill (later Nicolás O'Neill y O'Kelley). His family lost their lands in Ireland, forcing them to emigrate. His parents carried Arturo and his brothers to Spain. In 1752, O'Neill, when he was still a youth, joined the Irish regiment in Ireland, as a cadet under the command of his cousin, the regimental commander José Camerford.
The following year, O'Neill transferred to the Regiment of Hibernia, to which he belonged for the next 28 years of his military career. He was sub-lieutenant for nine years and he also attained the ranks of Lieutenant general and Field marshal. He served in the campaign of Portugal, in 1762. He was then in the garrison of Oran, Algeria, and later, in 1775, in the military campaign of Algiers. He was also involved in the campaign against Brazil, which contributed to the seizure of Fort Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina Island, where he served as governor until the end of the war.
His military skills enabled him to obtain, in 1764, promotion to Assistant Major of the Hibernia Regiment. In addition, in 1773, while serving in Pamplona, Spain, O'Neill obtained the rank of Captain of the regiment. Later, O'Neil was promoted to Colonel of the Regiment after serving with distinction against the British at the Siege of Pensacola (in the city of same name) in March 1781.
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Wikipedia